CLUGSTON Construction has been appointed on what is understood to be the largest project it has ever undertaken, as it once again teams up with CNIM to deliver an energy from waste facility.

Viridor, one of the UK’s largest recycling and renewable energy companies, has appointed the Scunthorpe-based business and its technology partner on a £252 million Energy Recovery Facility on an industrial site in Avonmouth, on the outskirts of Bristol.

Clugston will provide the building and civils – believed to be valued at £100 million – with work to start this summer. At its peak 600 people will be employed on site.

Steve Radcliffe, managing director of Clugston Construction, said: “Once again we are pleased to be working for Viridor and continuing the long association we have with CNIM on what will be our 11th joint energy recovery scheme.

“We are developing our mobilisation plans in preparation for commencing site activities later this summer. This will include meeting suppliers and the business community in the region to help us identify and source services locally wherever possible.”

Anticipated to be operational in 2020, the facility will enable local authorities and business to transform 320,000 tonnes of non-recyclable residual waste into renewable energy annually, which would otherwise go to landfill. As part of that transition Viridor recently signed a 25-year contract with Somerset County Council, brokered by Somerset Waste Partnership, which will see about a third of the available capacity at Avonmouth being taken up, by diverting waste that is currently transported to three landfill sites.

It will generate 34MW of low carbon energy, supplying National Grid with enough electricity to power 44,000 homes.

Viridor’s managing director, Phil Piddington, said: “We’re delighted to team up with CNIM and Clugston to progress this flagship facility using proven technology and respected, established partners. The development creates an exciting opportunity to support the South West community and Bristol’s progress towards creating a low carbon economy, following the city’s successful year as European Green Capital.”

Financial sign off was given in November last year by Viridor’s parent copany, Pennon Group Plc, on what is a fully consented scheme.

Nicolas Dmitrieff, CNIM chairman, said: “Viridor is a market leader in the UK’s energy from waste sector and we’re very happy to be joining forces again on this important project, harnessing innovative technology which has been successfully deployed on many ERF sites across the UK and abroad.”

The new facility is Viridor’s 12th ERF and is the fourth to be developed with CNIM. The new-build project is part of a £1.6 billion investment by Viridor in the UK’s national social infrastructure, supporting the Government’s industrial strategy.

The decision to proceed with the Avonmouth investment was made in November 2016 by Viridor’s parent company Pennon Group Plc, one of the largest environmental infrastructure companies in the UK.